Officer answering call at a home killed

Police shoot gunman holding kids as shield

Martha Bellisle And lisa Baumann, Associated Press

December 1, 2016

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers stand by command vehicles on East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The police officer who was shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call died Wednesday night, while police worked to arrest a suspect they believed was still barricaded in the home with a gun, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers stand by command vehicles on East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather in front of an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather in front of an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather in front of an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather in front of an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Hospital and law enforcement workers stand at an entrance to Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., as they wait for the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, to be removed from the hospital in a procession. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. "We've suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don't know how to put that into words," Cool said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Hospital and law enforcement workers stand at an entrance to Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, Wash., as they wait for the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Motorcycle law enforcement officers lead a procession away from Tacoma General Hospital of an ambulance bearing the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. "We've suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don't know how to put that into words," Cool said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Motorcycle law enforcement officers lead a procession away from Tacoma General Hospital of an ambulance bearing the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement vehicles line East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police Officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The police officer who was shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call died Wednesday night, while police worked to arrest a suspect they believed was still barricaded in the home with a gun, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement vehicles line East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police Officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The police officer who was ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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A law enforcement officer salutes as viewed through the windshield of a Tacoma Fire Department ambulance as the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, is placed in the vehicle for a procession away from Tacoma General Hospital, in Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. "We've suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don't know how to put that into words," Cool said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

A law enforcement officer salutes as viewed through the windshield of a Tacoma Fire Department ambulance as the body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather next to an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather next to an ambulance at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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People stand behind the ambulance entrance of Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

People stand behind the ambulance entrance of Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers gather at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Police stand by a distraught woman at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. KCPQ-TV reports an officer was taken to a Tacoma hospital Wednesday after the incident at about 5:30 p.m. (Peter Haley/The News Tribune via AP) less

Police stand by a distraught woman at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. KCPQ-TV reports an officer was taken ... more

Photo: Peter Haley, MBO

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Police stand by a distraught Kristi Croskey at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Croskey was in the house with the shooter and fled. KCPQ-TV reports an officer was taken to a Tacoma hospital Wednesday after the incident at about 5:30 p.m. (Peter Haley/The News Tribune via AP) less

Police stand by a distraught Kristi Croskey at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Croskey was in the house with ... more

Photo: Peter Haley, MBO

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Police stand by a distraught Kristi Croskey at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Croskey was in the house with the shooter and fled. KCPQ-TV reports an officer was taken to a Tacoma hospital Wednesday after the incident at about 5:30 p.m. (Peter Haley/The News Tribune via AP) less

Police stand by a distraught Kristi Croskey at the scene where a Tacoma Police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call in East Tacoma, Wash., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Croskey was in the house with ... more

Photo: Peter Haley, MBO

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Law enforcement officers stand watch at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say the officer shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call has died. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool says the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement officers stand watch at Tacoma General Hospital, where a Tacoma Police officer was taken after being shot while responding to a call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Authorities say ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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A law enforcement officer watches as viewed through the windshield of a Tacoma Fire Department ambulance as the flag-draped body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, is placed in the vehicle for a procession away from Tacoma General Hospital, in Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma Police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the officer was pronounced dead at the hospital Wednesday evening. "We've suffered a great loss and I think the community has suffered a great loss. I don't know how to put that into words," Cool said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

A law enforcement officer watches as viewed through the windshield of a Tacoma Fire Department ambulance as the flag-draped body of a Tacoma Police officer who was shot and killed while answering a domestic ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Law enforcement vehicles line East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police Officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The police officer who was shot multiple times while responding to a domestic violence call died Wednesday night, while police worked to arrest a suspect they believed was still barricaded in the home with a gun, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Law enforcement vehicles line East 52nd Street in Tacoma, Wash., in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, near the home where a Tacoma Police Officer was fatally shot Wednesday. The police officer who was ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Flowers and a message from the Washington State Patrol Investigative Assistance Division are shown at a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Flowers and a message from the Washington State Patrol Investigative Assistance Division are shown at a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Loretta Cool, spokeswoman for the Tacoma Police Department, talks to reporters in front of a large replica of a police badge with a mourning band on it, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Tacoma Police Department headquarters in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Loretta Cool, spokeswoman for the Tacoma Police Department, talks to reporters in front of a large replica of a police badge with a mourning band on it, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Tacoma Police Department ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Nathan Kile, who works as a corrections officer, walks near tiles that read "And walk the thin blue line," as he visits a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Nathan Kile, who works as a corrections officer, walks near tiles that read "And walk the thin blue line," as he visits a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Flowers rest on a sign, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Tacoma Police Department headquarters in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Flowers rest on a sign, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Tacoma Police Department headquarters in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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A woman wipes a tear as she visits a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

A woman wipes a tear as she visits a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist hugs his daughter Slone, 6, as they visit a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

A drawing and flowers left by Slone Lindquist, 6, the daughter of Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, sits at a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

A drawing and flowers left by Slone Lindquist, 6, the daughter of Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, sits at a growing memorial outside the Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Three women embrace as they stand at a growing memorial, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Tacoma Police Department headquarters in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Three women embrace as they stand at a growing memorial, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Tacoma Police Department headquarters in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Kayla Hayes, of Tacoma, walks with her son Gavin, right, and family friend Aiden, both 2, after they left flowers at a growing memorial outside Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. A Tacoma Police officer died Wednesday night at a hospital after being shot multiple times earlier in the day while answering a domestic violence call. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

Kayla Hayes, of Tacoma, walks with her son Gavin, right, and family friend Aiden, both 2, after they left flowers at a growing memorial outside Tacoma Police Department headquarters Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

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Hospital and law enforcement workers at Tacoma General Hospital wait for the body of a slain officer d to be removed from the hospital in a procession.

Hospital and law enforcement workers at Tacoma General Hospital wait for the body of a slain officer d to be removed from the hospital in a procession.

Photo: Ted S. Warren, STF

Officer answering call at a home killed

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SEATTLE - A Washington state police officer responding to a domestic violence call was fatally shot and his fellow officers were still "taking fire" as they removed him from a home, beginning an 11-hour standoff during which authorities say the gunman used two young children as human shields.

The fallen officer, Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez, had served with the department since 1999 and was highly respected and experienced, Tacoma Police Chief Donald Ramsdell told reporters Thursday.

Dozens of officers had surrounded the home in Tacoma on Wednesday night, urging nearby residents of the working class neighborhood of single-family homes to shelter in place.

Early Thursday, authorities say a deputy got "a clear shot" and killed the suspect as officers rescued an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.

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Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said the gunman had refused to surrender. His name was not released.

"We were able to get the suspect cornered and trapped, even though he had two kids," Troyer said. "We had a SWAT member who had a clear shot. We fired one round, which struck him."

Ramsdell said the incident began Wednesday afternoon when animal control officers working near the house were approached by a woman who said her husband had locked her out and taken her phone. The officers called police.

Gutierrez and his female partner went into the home, and Gutierrez was shot as he reached the top of the stairs to speak with the suspect, Ramsdell said.

Ramsdell said the suspect did not have a "serious background in regards to criminal history" but there may have been issues with mental illness.

The shooting sparked an outpouring of support from the community and public officials, who left flowers at the front of the police department, under a large police badge carried a black ribbon across the center.